Our Region

Question 1

Our Region: Basic Facts

Answer 1

Name: Frýdlantsko, Frýdlant region Location: in the North of Bohemia, in Liberec county, part of the historical Sudeten area Population: about 25 000 inhabitants, living in 18 towns and villages Terrain: hilly region at the foot of Jizera mountains; populated mostly along river Smědá and smaller creeks (Řasnice, Bílý Potok). Rich in pastures (cattle and sheep), meadows and forests. Towns: Frýdlant, Hejnice, Nové Město pod Smrkem

Question 2

Regional Industries

Answer 2

in the past – forestry, lumber mills, glassworks and textile industry; today – mostly automotive (car parts) factories

Question 3

Frýdlant Castle

Answer 3

• Gothic castle with renaissance neo-renaissance parts
• Based on the basalt rock Devil’s Organ
• The oldest part: tower indica (11th century)
• Ruling houses:
  
  • House of Ronowitz
  • House of Biberstein
  • House of Redern
  • Albrecht of Waldstein
  • House of Gallas and Clam-Gallas

Question 4

Frýdlant history and demography

Answer 4

• About 7500 inhabitants
• Medieval origin (preserved city walls, Church of the Holy Cross)
• Town square with historical houses and “new” town hall
• Catholic church of the Holy Cross + renaissance Redern tomb
• Town museum (“the hospice”) and railroad museum
• Frýdlant lookout tower
• Mechanical nativity scene

Question 5

Hejnice sights

Answer 5

monastery and baroque basilica with the tomb of house of Gallas

Question 6

Nové Město pod Smrkem

Answer 6

industrial and mining town of rennaisance origin, starting point of the singletrek (mountain biking trail)

Question 7

Lázně Libverda

Answer 7

spa town connected with romanticism; The Giant Barrel restaurant

Question 8

Jizerka

Answer 8

mountain village in the heart of Jizera Mountains, popular for winter sports and star observation (dark sky reserve)

Question 9

Cathrine of Redern (1564-1617)

Answer 9

Rennaisance noblewoman, wife of Melchior of Redern (imperial general, commander and politician).

Ran the region for her husband and later for her son Christoph (was his regent), quarrels with local burghers (nicknamed „Evil Cathrine“)

Supported industry and mining (founded Nové Město), paid her husband’s debts

Rebuilt the castle, bulit the rennaisance wing of chateau and the castle chapel

Question 10

Albrecht of Waldstein (1583-1634)

Answer 10

Imperial general, war enterpreneur and commander in chief of Austrian army

Made Frýdlant the center of his duchy (Terra Felix = Happy Country), but resided in Jičín

Fought in the 30-years war (battle of Lützen)

Suffered from syfilis, betrayed by his generals and assissnated in the town of Cheb

Question 11

Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951)

Answer 11

Inventor, industrialist and car engineer

Founder of Porsche (VW) car company

Constructor of the first hybrid engine (petrol-electricity)

Supporter of national socialism in Germany (1937 joined NSDAP), designed VW beetle

Question 12

Vlasta Burian (1891-1962)

Answer 12

Czech comedian and stage and film actor, singer and football player, born in Liberec

Movies: Anton Špelec, the sharpshooter; The Station Master; Ducháček Will Fix It

His theatre was closed by the Nazis in 1944, later, he was imprisoned and censored by the communists¨

Returned to stage in late 1950s

Question 13

Answer 13

Vlasta Burian

Question 14

Answer 14

Cathrine of Redern

Question 15

Answer 15

Ferdinand Porsche

Question 16

Answer 16

Hejnice church (Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Question 17

Answer 17

Lázně Libverda